When I was little, I was exposed to Japanese animation and caricature. As I watched it, I became interested in Japan. I also touched on things about Japan. Since I was a child, I have read a lot of books on Japanese politics, economy, science and technology, culture and so on. Now I am majoring in Japanese at Hainan Normal University. I chose Japanese because I wanted to learn more about Japan. There are a lot of topics about Japan on the Internet, but I would like to feel the core of Japanese culture completely away from the era and genre. There is a Chinese proverb that says, "reading ten thousand books and going ten thousand miles." You can't really understand Japanese culture just by reading books. So I want to experience Japanese life and learn about Japanese culture.
　During the one-year exchange program, I would like to improve my Japanese language skills, make many Japanese friends, and check with my eyes and hands what was written about Japan in books and what my teachers have taught me in classes. I study pedagogy, and after graduation, I want to go back to my hometown and become a full-fledged teacher. I would like to balance academic research and life experience, convey the knowledge I learned in Japan to as many students as possible, and work hard for the friendship between Japan and China.

　Time passed, and half a year has passed since I came to Hyogo University of Teacher Education. When I decided to study in Japan, I was nervous and hopeful on the first day. I gradually got used to life in Japan and was able to enjoy it. My initial excitement and anxiety have calmed down.
　As soon as I started taking classes, I realized that overcoming the language barrier was more difficult than I had imagined. At first, I was confused by the daily conversation and the conversation in class. However, people around me kindly supported me and taught me over and over again, so I gradually gained confidence. Also, it was very stimulating to interact with people from different backgrounds, and I was able to learn diverse values from everyone's point of view.
　Through these study activities in Japan, I realized not only the acquisition of knowledge, but also the importance of connecting with people and the enjoyment of communication. I would like to spend fulfilling days so that I don't have any regrets about my study abroad life.

　Through this one-year study abroad experience, I have not only improved my Japanese language skills but also deepened my understanding of different cultures and developed a greater sense of independence. In particular, my Japanese classes allowed me to study grammar and honorific expressions in depth, enabling me to speak more naturally. Additionally, daily conversations with Japanese friends, shopping, and visiting hospitals helped me enhance my practical Japanese proficiency. At first, I often struggled with words, but by overcoming my fear of making mistakes and speaking more freely, I gradually became able to hold smooth conversations.
　Moreover, learning about Japanese culture and etiquette helped me develop adaptability to new environments. I learned to be punctual, stay quiet on trains, and express gratitude—practices unique to Japan that I was able to understand and implement. Traveling also allowed me to experience Japan’s history and traditional culture, deepening my cross-cultural understanding. Visiting places like Kyoto and Hokkaido, I was able to witness the beauty of Japan’s four seasons and the cultural differences between regions, further deepening my interest in Japan.
　Living in Japan also improved my self-management skills. Managing my class schedule and budgeting my living expenses on my own taught me to plan and handle things systematically.
　Moving forward, I hope to utilize the language skills and cultural understanding I gained during my study abroad experience to contribute in international settings. My goal is to further refine my Japanese and acquire more advanced expressive abilities. Using this study abroad experience as a foundation, I will continue to challenge myself in the future.